Wisconsin officials decide to continue union votes

Nov. 25, 2013

Getty Images/Creatas RF

Written by

The Associated Press

MADISON — Wisconsin labor relations officials have decided to move ahead with re-certification elections for school district worker unions in the wake of a state Supreme Court ruling.

Gov. Scott Walker’s collective bargaining restrictions require public employee unions to hold annual elections to see if members want the organizations to continue to represent them in wage negotiations.

But Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colas ruled in 2012 that the provisions are unconstitutional as they applied to a Madison teachers union and a Milwaukee public worker union. He found the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission in contempt in October for moving ahead with the re-certifications elections for about 400 school district worker unions.

But the state Supreme Court lifted the contempt order last week. WERC voted Monday to re-start the elections on Friday.